Gordon, Thomas R.

Professor of Plant Pathology and Department Chair Department of Plant Pathology
Office Phone: 530-754-9893
FAX: 530-752-5674
E-Mail: trgordon@ucdavis.edu

Biography

B.S. California State University, Northridge 1974 Biology
M.S. California State University, Northridge 1976 Botany
Ph.D. University of California, Davis 1981 Plant Pathology

Lab Website

Gordon lab web page

Area of Specialization

The ecology and evolution of plant pathogenic fungi, fungal-insect interactions, disease control.

Research

Projects in my lab include applied and basic investigations into the biology of plant pathogenic fungi, primarily species of Fusarium and Verticillium. Pitch canker disease on Monterey pine, caused by Fusarium circinatum, is currently a major focus of activity. This includes studies on the breeding biology of the pathogen, constitutive and induced disease resistance in the host, and the interactions between the fungus and its insect vectors.

Selected Publications:

Ioos R., Fourrier C., Iancu G., Gordon T.R. 2009. Sensitive Detection of Fusarium circinatum in Pine Seed by Combining an Enrichment Procedure with a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Using Dual-Labeled Probe Chemistry. Phytopathology 99: 582-90.

Fisher A.J., Aegerter B.J., Gordon T.R., Smith L, Woods D.M. 2009. Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis teliospore priming on yellow starthistle. Phytopathology 99:67-72.

Erbilgin, N., Ritokova, G., Gordon, T.R., Wood, D. L. and Storer, A. J. 2008. Temporal variation in contamination of pine engraver beetles with Fusarium circinatum in native Monterey pine forests in California. Plant Pathology 57: 1103-1108.

Inman, A.R., Gordon, T.R., Kirkpatrick, S.C. and Shaw, D.V. 2008. Limiting effects of low temperature on growth and spore germination in Gibberella circinata, the cause of pitch canker in pine species. Plant Disease 92:542-545.

Wingfield, M.J., Hammerbacher A., Ganley R.J., Steenkamp, E.T., Gordon T.R., Wingfield B.D., Coutinho T.A. 2008. Pitch canker caused by Fusarium circinatum - a growing threat to pine plantations and forests worldwide. Australasian plant pathology 37:319-334.

Sakamoto, J.M., Gordon, T.R., Storer, A.J. and Wood, D.L. 2007. 2007. The role of Pityophthorus spp. as vectors of pitch canker affecting Pinus radiata. Canadian Entomologist 139:864-871.

Friel, C.J., Desjardins, A.E., Kirkpatrick, S.C. and Gordon, T.R. 2007. Evidence for recombination and segregation for virulence to pine in a hybrid cross between Gibberella circinata and G. subglutinans. Mycological Research 111:827-31.

De Vos, L., Myburg, A.A., Wingfield, M.J., Desjardins, A.E., Gordon, T.R. and Wingfield, B.D. 2007. Complete genetic linkage maps from an interspecific cross between Fusarium circinatum and Fusarium subglutinans. Fungal Genetics and Biology 44:701-14.

Fisher, A.J., DiTomaso, J. M., Gordon, T.R., Aegerter, B.J. and Ayres, D.R. 2007. Salt marsh Claviceps purpurea in native and invaded Spartina marshes in Northern California. Plant Disease, 91(4), 380-386.

Bonello, P., Gordon, T.R., Herms, D.A., Wood, D.L. and Erbilgin, N. 2006. Nature and ecological implications of pathogen-induced systemic resistance in conifers: A novel hypothesis. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 68: 95-104.

Gordon, T.R., Kirkpatrick, S.C., Petersen, J.C. and Friel, C.J. 2006. Potential diversity in vegetative compatibility groupings in the California population of Gibberella circinata. Mycological Research 110:936-940.

Aegerter, B.J. and Gordon, T.R. 2006. Rates of pitch canker induced seedling mortality among Pinus radiata families varying in levels of genetic resistance to Gibberella circinata (anamorph Fusarium circinatum). Forest Ecology and Management 235:14-17.

Gordon, T.R. 2006. Pitch canker disease of pines. Phytopathology 96:657-659.

Sakamoto, J.M. and Gordon, T.R. 2006. Factors influencing infection of mechanical wounds by Fusarium circinatum on Monterey pines (Pinus radiata). Plant Pathology 55: 130-136.

Gordon, T.R., Kirkpatrick, S.C., Aegerter, B.J., Wood, D.L. and Storer, A.J. 2006. Susceptibility of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to pitch canker, caused by Gibberella circinata (anamorph = Fusarium circinatum). Plant Pathology 55:231-237.

Publications from PUBMED